International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Experience Note: Education, Awareness and Technology to Prevent Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining

The Global Mercury Project (GMP) was implemented in order to begin a global response to address environmental impacts resulting from mercury released by the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector. The relatively poor knowledge or involvement of governments within the sector hampers sustainability initiatives. The awareness campaign provided education about the hazards of ASM activities, with a focus on mercury, to local and national citizens in pilot project countries. Key to this impact was also the diversity of community members included within the programs such as miners, millers, buyers, communal leaders, and food and beverage vendors. The combination of assessment and educational phases of the project allowed us to learn a great deal about the life cycle of mercury within artisanal mining. This project also highlighted the importance of locally appropriate technologies. Though not without failures, some of the key achievements in the GMP came about because of the ability to bring together health information, technological transfer and promotional activities. This project and the specific activities outlined in this experience note associated with education and awareness-raising through an integrated approach are significant in that they present methods with proven ability to help.

1223: Removal of Barriers to the Introduction of Cleaner Artisanal Mining and Extraction Technologies

05 jan. 2015

English

Experience Note: Education, Awareness and Technology to Prevent Mercury Pollution from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining.pdf